Soul Returns to Hong Kong: From Tailor Shop to Richest Woman

Once all the dishes were served, the group ate and chatted.

Su Zhe picked up a piece of salmon and put it on his plate. He looked at Lin Ying and said, "Ying, we recently took on a project. It's a period drama set in the Republican era, with 30 episodes. We've already secured a release date with TVB."

"Sounds good." Lin Ying drank the miso soup.

"But I always feel that this path is getting narrower and narrower; the market in Hong Kong is only so big, there are only so many TV stations, and the audience's tastes are becoming more and more discerning; now the cost of making a movie is getting higher and higher, but the returns are shrinking."

Su Cheng chimed in, "Yes, we talked to TVB's purchasing department a while ago, and they immediately tried to lower the price, saying that there are too many production companies on the market that can make dramas now, and if we don't accept the price reduction, they will immediately replace us."

Lin Ying: "Have you ever thought about developing your careers in mainland China?"

Su Zhe looked at Lin Ying: "I've thought about it, and more than once."

"Then why not go?"

Su Cheng sighed and said, "Ah Ying, you can't go."

Lin Ying asked, "How so?"

"The market in the mainland is indeed huge, with a large population base; but we've been there several times and have been turned away each time." Su Zhe picked up his sake and took a sip. "Boss Peng left a step earlier than us. He already has connections in G province. If we go there too, we'll be competing with him for jobs."

Su Cheng said from the side, "It's not just Boss Peng; my old Dou has also wanted to expand into the mainland in recent years. Last year, he took his team on three trips, and each time he came back empty-handed."

Lin Ying asked, "How did Uncle Su negotiate?"

Su Cheng shook his head: "I don't know the specific details either, I only know that every time he comes back he's cursing, saying that the people over there don't know what's good for them, and that they don't even look at the project proposals he brings."

Lin Ying laughed out loud: "Is Second Uncle reluctant to invest?"

Su Zhe didn't understand: "What do you mean?"

"You can't catch a wolf without risking your cub," Lin Ying said. "You go to their territory to do business, wanting to make money off them, but you just make empty promises without contributing anything? The local government isn't stupid; why should they fall for your tricks?"

Su Jun, listening from the side, didn't understand: "Sister Ying, you mean...?"

"Now you're begging others to make money on their turf, so get your attitude straight and show some sincerity." Lin Ying turned to Su Zhe, "Does Uncle always just bring project proposals when he goes, talking a good game but never actually investing a single penny?"

Su Cheng thought about it carefully and nodded: "It seems that's really the case; my dad always says that we should wait until the project is approved before investing money, and get the green light from them first."

"That settles it then." Lin Ying picked up her teacup. "Why should they give you the green light? You haven't invested in building a factory there, you haven't created any jobs, and you haven't boosted the industrial chain. You're a Hong Kong company, you go there to make a movie, earn your money, and leave. What's in it for them?"

Su Zhe held his chopsticks without saying a word.

Lin Ying continued, "The mainland is developing rapidly, and local governments are attracting investment; what they want are companies that can stay long-term and drive the local economy."

Su Cheng: "Then what do we do?"

"If you want to go, show your sincerity," Lin Ying said. "First, invest in building a photography studio, then rent some long-term office space, hire local staff, and pay taxes to the local government; that way people will know that you genuinely want to settle down there and are here to do real work."

Su Zhe was silent for a moment, then asked, "Ah Ying, do you have any connections in mainland China? Could you introduce us?"

Lin Ying remained silent.

Su Zhe quickly said, "We're willing to give you 10% of the shares."

Lin Ying put down her teacup: "Are you really going to pursue a career in film and television entertainment?"

Su Cheng rubbed his hands together: "We're complete novices when it comes to other routes; they're impassable."

"My dad works in finance, and I don't understand that stuff at all; if I worked with him, we'd fall out sooner or later," Su Zhe said. "My second uncle works in film and television, and I've been exposed to it a lot since I was a child, so at least I know the ins and outs of this industry; if I were in another industry, I wouldn't even know where the door is."

Su Cheng chimed in, "Me too. I grew up on film sets. I can coordinate all the production crew and lighting arrangements with my eyes closed. If you asked me to do anything else, I really couldn't."

Lin Ying looked at the Su brothers, Su Zhe and Su Cheng, and said, "I can introduce you. I don't want the 10% share; we've been friends for a while."

Upon hearing this, Su Jun exclaimed, "Sister Ying, you're so loyal!"

"But you need to think this through. Money in the world of fame and fortune isn't easy to make, and you can ruin your reputation in no time; you should know better than I how deep the waters are in the entertainment industry."

Su Zhe nodded: "We know that."

"I suggest you make some real money at this time; you can do film and television, but don't put all your eggs in one basket," Lin Ying advised a few more times.

Su Jun asked, "Sister Ying, what do you think we should do?"

"For example, with the country's rapid development and construction, you can invest in infrastructure; you can open a few factories and do some real business; you can engage in foreign trade... There are so many things you can do, why insist on focusing solely on the film and television industry?"

Su Cheng looked distressed: "But we don't understand any of this."

"If you don't understand, you can learn; you can hire someone. You now have start-up capital, connections, and courage; what you lack is direction and execution."

Su Zhe pondered for a long time: "Aying, we've thought about what you're saying, but..."

"But what?"

"We're afraid of losing money," Su Zhe said. "We're familiar with the film and television industry; we know where we can make money and where we can lose money. What if we switch to manufacturing and fail?"

Lin Ying laughed: "Aren't you afraid of crashing the film and television industry? You spend millions on a single film, and if the ratings are bad, you lose everything; at least in manufacturing, you still have factories and equipment, so you won't lose everything overnight."

Su Zhi, who had been eating on the side, chimed in: "Ah Ying is right; my dad has been in finance for years, and recently he's been looking at real estate projects, saying he wants to diversify his risk."

Su Jun scratched his head: "But we really don't know how to open a factory."

"That's why we need to hire professionals," Lin Ying said. "You're responsible for providing the funding and controlling the direction, while the actual operations are handled by people who know the business; it's the same principle as when you run a film and television company, don't you hire directors, screenwriters, and actors?"

After listening, Su Zhe picked up his glass and drank the rest of his wine in one gulp: "Aying, I'll remember what you said today."

"You're welcome. I'm just giving you a heads-up; the specifics are up to you to decide."

Su Cheng looked at Lin Ying: "What about the introduction..."

"I can help you schedule a time to meet the people there; but let me make it clear from the start, I'm only responsible for making the connection, whether the deal goes through is up to you."

"We understand." Su Zhe nodded.

Su Jun chimed in, "Sister Ying, why don't you just become a shareholder and become our advisor?"

Lin Ying shook her head and said, "I don't have that plan for now. I'm looking for direction."

"So what are you planning to do?" Su Cheng asked.

"I haven't decided yet," Lin Ying said. "I'm looking for opportunities and will make a move when I'm sure."

Su Zhe stared at Lin Ying for a moment: "Ying, you're only twenty-two years old this year, right?"

"right."

"You're so clear-headed at twenty-two." Su Zhe sighed. "When I was twenty-two, I was still arguing with my dad and thinking about running away from home every day."

Su Cheng chimed in from the side: "I was even worse off back then. My dad berated me mercilessly on set, and I didn't dare utter a single word."

Su Jun shrank his neck and said, "I'm twenty-two years old... right now, and I'm still getting scolded by my brother."

Everyone at the table burst into laughter.

Lin Ying pushed back her chair and stood up: "Alright, it's getting late, I'll head back now; I'll contact you about the referral later. You should sort out your thoughts in the next few days, so you don't end up speechless when we meet."

Su Zhe stood up and said, "I'll see you downstairs."

The group walked out of the Japanese restaurant, and Lin Ying opened the car door and got into the dark blue Bentley.

Su Jun walked downstairs and circled the car again: "Sister Ying, are you really not going to consider me? I may be poor now, but I have great potential!"

Lin Ying rolled down the car window: "Su Jun, focus on your work and stop daydreaming."

After saying that, he stepped on the gas and drove the car out of the parking lot.

Su Cheng slapped his younger brother on the back of the head: "Alright, she doesn't like you, give up."

Su Jun looked longingly in the direction of the taillights: "I just don't understand, what's wrong with me?"

Su Zhi chimed in from the side: "Anyone with eyes can see that you're after money, so nothing about you is good."

Su Zhe took out a lighter, lit a cigarette, and took a puff: "Stop messing around, go back and prepare the documents; Ying's willingness to help us is giving us a chance, don't mess it up."

Su Cheng nodded: "I'll start working on the plan tomorrow."